MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Jay Rothman, the president of the University of Wisconsin system, has been told he must either resign or face termination, according to letters obtained by The Associated Press. However, Rothman asserts he has not been given any valid reasons for this sudden demand and has vowed to remain in his position.
Rothman, who has held the presidency of the 165,000-student university system since 2022, indicated in a letter dated March 26 to the chair of the Board of Regents that he has not been informed about the basis for the board's request. He mentioned that should he choose not to resign, he could be terminated despite what he believes to be significant accomplishments during his tenure.
The Board of Regents convened for a closed emergency meeting to discuss personnel issues on Wednesday night. In a statement, board president Amy Bogost said, The Board is responsible for the leadership of the Universities of Wisconsin and is having discussions about its future, but declined to comment on personnel matters.
In response to the board's ultimatum, Rothman stated, As a matter of principle, I am not prepared to submit my resignation.
After receiving further unsuccessful attempts from some regents to persuade him to step down, Rothman expressed that not only was he demanding clarity on the situation, but he was also surprised by the board's apparent lack of confidence in his leadership. “I find this process to be nearly indefensible,” Rothman added in his correspondence.
Rothman's presidency has seen challenges, including boosting state funding amid federal budget cuts, addressing free speech concerns during campus protests, and navigating declining enrollment leading to campus closures. Previously, Rothman had suggested resigning when the Board of Regents rejected a deal with the Wisconsin Legislature concerning diversity initiatives.
Rothman emphasized in his response that he believes his resignation would not serve the best interests of the Universities of Wisconsin or the state and that he has devoted himself wholeheartedly to the institution's mission.
His salary stands at $600,943, and prior to becoming president, Rothman was the chair and CEO of the Milwaukee law firm Foley & Lardner, with no prior experience in higher education administration.
